The UK had two nominees on the list for best dramatic actor - veteran Caine for his role in a new version of Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American and Day-Lewis for a rare big-screen appearance in Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York.

But they lost out on the prize, which went to Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt - the record sixth Golden Globe of his career.

Hugh Grant's hopes of a Hollywood prize were dashed when Richard Gere beat him to the best comedy or musical actor prize.

Hugh Grant: Nominated for About A Boy

Grant's film, About A Boy, also lost out to Chicago in the battle for best musical or comedy film.

The Hours' screenwriter David Hare also had an unsuccessful nomination, but the TV categories contained better results for the UK.

Actor Albert Finney's portrayal of Winston Churchill in the lead-up to World War II in The Gathering Storm won him the title of best actor in a mini-series or TV movie.

The Gathering Storm, a co-production by the BBC and US network HBO, was also named best mini-series or TV movie.

Sex star's success

Those awards will be added to the three Emmys the show won in September.

And Liverpool-born actress Kim Cattrall was named best supporting actress in a series, mini-series or TV movie for playing the man-eating Samantha in Sex and the City.

"You have no idea how many men I've had to sleep with to get this award," she joked.

Irish band U2 picked up one of the soundtrack awards for their song The Hands That Built America, which was the theme to Gangs of New York.